An Exegetical Examination of the Article with τῆς μητρὸς αὐτοῦ Μαρίας in Matthew 1:18
This exegetical study of “An Exegetical Examination of the Article with τῆς μητρὸς αὐτοῦ Μαρίας in Matthew 1:18” is based on a b-greek discussion from September 7th, 2016, 10:48 pm. The initial inquiry focused on the function of the definite article τῆς in the phrase τῆς μητρὸς αὐτοῦ Μαρίας (Matthew 1:18).
The core exegetical issue revolves around the precise semantic contribution of the definite article τῆς preceding μητρὸς αὐτοῦ Μαρίας. Two primary interpretations were proposed: first, that the article functions as an “article of previous reference,” identifying Mary as the individual already mentioned in Matthew 1:16; second, that it serves as an “article of identity,” emphasizing Mary’s unique role as “His mother” at the commencement of a new narrative section following the genealogy. Understanding which, if either, of these nuances is primary, or if the article fulfills a more general definite function, is crucial for accurate interpretation and translation of the passage.
Greek text (Nestle 1904)
Τοῦ δὲ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἡ γένεσις οὕτως ἦν. μνηστευθείσης γὰρ τῆς μητρὸς αὐτοῦ Μαρίας τῷ Ἰωσήφ, πρὶν ἢ συνελθεῖν αὐτούς, εὑρέθη ἐν γαστρὶ ἔχουσα ἐκ Πνεύματος Ἁγίου.
- Key differences with SBLGNT (2010): No significant textual differences concerning the phrase τῆς μητρὸς αὐτοῦ Μαρίας exist between the Nestle 1904 edition and the SBLGNT 2010.
Textual Criticism (NA28) and Lexical Notes (KITTEL, BDAG)
A review of the Novum Testamentum Graece (NA28) for Matthew 1:18 reveals no significant textual variants affecting the phrase τῆς μητρὸς αὐτοῦ Μαρίας. The textual tradition for this particular construction is stable.
Lexically, the term μήτηρ (mētēr) refers to “mother.” BDAG (Bauer, Danker, Arndt, Gingrich, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature) indicates that the article ἡ with μήτηρ, especially when combined with a genitive pronoun (αὐτοῦ, “his”) and a proper name in apposition (Μαρίας), typically denotes a specific, definite individual. The article serves its fundamental role of marking definiteness and unique identification in a given context. KITTEL (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament) corroborates this understanding, emphasizing that the article renders the referent specific and distinct within the discourse. While KITTEL delves into the theological significance of “motherhood,” the grammatical function of the article is consistently understood as one of definite reference.
The construction τῆς μητρὸς αὐτοῦ Μαρίας is a common form of nominal phrase where a proper noun (Μαρίας) is in apposition to a head noun (μητρὸς) that is modified by a possessive pronoun (αὐτοῦ). The article τῆς, agreeing in gender, number, and case with μητρὸς, functions to make the entire phrase definite, clearly identifying a specific individual as “his mother, Mary.”
Translation Variants and Grammatical & Rhetorical Analysis
The proposed interpretations regarding the function of τῆς—either as an “article of previous reference” or an “article of identity”—warrant close examination. The argument for “previous reference” suggests that because Mary was mentioned in Matthew 1:16 (“Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus”), the article in v.18 signals that this is the *same* Mary. This is a plausible and common function of the definite article in Greek, guiding the reader to an already established referent within the discourse. Rhetorically, it provides narrative continuity.
The “article of identity” argument posits that, particularly following the genealogy and at the start of a new narrative, the article emphasizes Mary’s unique and inherent identity as *the* mother of Jesus. While the article certainly establishes definite identity, this is often a consequence of its primary role as a definite marker rather than a distinct grammatical category of “identity article.” In this context, the article marks Mary as the specific, unique individual filling the role of “his mother.”
A crucial insight from scholarly discussion highlights that the article is generally employed when referring to a specific individual in a relationship, such as τῆς μητρὸς αὐτοῦ (“his mother”). Conversely, the article is frequently omitted when the focus is not on the individual’s specific identity but on a more generic role or a circumstantial phrase. Examples such as ἐκ κοιλίας μητρὸς αὐτοῦ (“from his mother’s womb,” Luke 1:15) illustrate this, where “mother’s womb” functions as a temporal or locative phrase (“from birth”) rather than specifically identifying “the mother.” Similarly, ἀδελφὸν δὲ Ρεβεκκας μητρὸς Ιακωβ καὶ Ησαυ (“the brother of Rebekah, mother of Jacob and Esau,” Genesis 20:12 LXX) demonstrates that even when a specific individual is in view, the article may be omitted if other contextual elements (like proper names in apposition) sufficiently establish definiteness. However, in Matthew 1:18, the presence of the article τῆς strongly underscores the definiteness of the referent, making it clear that the text refers to *the* specific mother Mary, already introduced and now central to the unfolding narrative of Jesus’ birth.
Grammatically, the appositional structure (μητρὸς αὐτοῦ Μαρίας) reinforces the identification. Μαρίας clarifies *who* the mother is, and the article τῆς ensures that this specific mother is definitively presented. Rhetorically, the article serves to focus the reader’s attention on this singular individual, essential for the narrative of Jesus’ unique conception.
Conclusions and Translation Suggestions
The analysis suggests that the article τῆς in τῆς μητρὸς αὐτοῦ Μαρίας functions primarily as a definite article, marking Mary as a specific, known, and uniquely identified individual within the narrative. While it implicitly carries aspects of “previous reference” (given her mention in v.16) and “identity” (by confirming her specific role), these are facets of its overarching function to establish definiteness, rather than separate grammatical categories. The article ensures that the reader understands that the mother being discussed is *the* Mary who is Jesus’ mother, central to the infancy narrative.
- “for his mother Mary having been betrothed to Joseph”
This translation emphasizes a direct and natural rendering, treating “his mother Mary” as a unified, definite noun phrase in English, where the article’s function is subsumed into the natural idiomatic expression. - “for the afore-mentioned Mary, his mother, having been betrothed to Joseph”
This option highlights the aspect of “previous reference,” subtly reminding the reader that Mary has already been introduced in the genealogy, providing narrative continuity. - “for Mary, who was his mother, having been betrothed to Joseph”
This rendering emphasizes the identificatory aspect, clarifying her role and relationship to Jesus through a slightly more explicit clause structure, though still conveying the definiteness established by the Greek article.